Act with agency, Ctd Jean Jaurès and Charles Péguy

   

The 100-year anniversary of World War One is also a time to remember the 1914 passing of two heroic Frenchmen - Jean Jaurès (above left) and Charles Péguy (above right). Two men remembered for their commitment to truth, justice and free expression in their fight against the virus of anti-Semitism. This they did in their defence of Captain Alfred Dreyfus (the the falsely imprisoned Jew) and in defiance of public opinion, military officials and an anti-semitism that was virulently rampant in France.

At stake were the principles of the French Revolution and the fundamental rights of man, as laid out in the Declaration of the Rights of Man of August 1789. Parallels can be drawn with Northern Ireland. We are torn by sectarianism and at stake in Northern Ireland is progress.

Agency and Activism, Ctd Margaret Mead

This Act with Agency and Activism series began with Dale J. Stephens said in an interview with Forbes Magazine here:

"My best advice to you is this: realize that you have agency. Don’t expect going to school to get you a job, and understand that if you want to be successful you’re going to have to hustle and create opportunities for yourself."

This is very relevant to the young people in Northern Ireland. Not only in the careers sense in which Dale J. Stephens means it above; but also in the social and community activism sense. In Northern Ireland especially, young people err heavily towards a step in line, know your place (almost ageist) mentality. I looked at that mindset here on Slugger O'Toole. Margaret Mead said:

"Never ever depend on governments or institutions to solve any major problems. All social change comes from the passion of individuals."

She also said:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Previous post in the series with former president of Ireland Mary Robinson here. I spoke of the need to act with agency before choosing to go to university here.